Australia to assist India with Rooftop Solar Plants

According to Australia’s Queensland State Minister for Energy, Mark Bailey, Australia can assist with the expansion and spread of rooftop solar plants in India. Further, as per India’s power ministry, Bailey had informed Indian Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister, Piyush Goyal that Queensland has the relevant expertise to assist India in expanding rooftop solar penetration as out of every 10 household in Australia, 3 have rooftop panels.The Centre has assigned itself a target of establishing 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022. India’s power ministry stated that Lynham had said in the meeting that “Australia’s strong track record in mine health and safety is world class and can be shared with India”. India had responded by saying that “India’s manpower and Australia’s technology can come together to combine the best of both worlds.”Australia’s premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had pointed out that Australia would like to export its expertise in mining and were keen on ensuring that the Great Barrier Reef was not impacted in any way. Currently, the project proposed by Adani Group to develop the Carmichael coal mine and associated railway line and port in Queensland is in a limbo due to environmental litigations and delay in acquiring the mining lease.Adanis have also put in an application for the set-up of large solar power project in the province. The first day of the meeting was regarding India and Australia forming a sub-group which comprised of senior government officials and industry from both sides. It was for making a road map to offer cheap liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Indian power plants that are running below capacity for lack of availability of fuels.